Clean out that jewelry box. Send me old jewelry you no longer want. I will pay the postage! The Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project is sponsored by the Seattle Metals Guild and collects old earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and other pieces for donation to shelters and safe houses. If you have jewelry you would like to donate send me email and I’ll send you all the information you need.Click to read this Seattle Times story to learn about this wonderful program.
Thanks in advance,
Sally
sallyvonbargen@comcast.net

One of the most spectacular events of the year is the annual Indian Market in Santa Fe (August 22-23), organized by SWAIA (Association of Indian Artists).

An estimated 100,000 people attend this shindig, a swirling mix of locals, Native American families eating ice cream, roasted corn and fry bread, artists, craftspeople, and of course collectors from all over, decked out in trophy concha belts, squash blossom or turquoise beaded necklaces, bracelets and bolo ties.

Collectors who come early that week can have their pick of gallery openings, auctions, breakfasts and other special events. The area is also museum heaven, not forgetting the (newish) Georgia O’Keeffe Gallery, and a new museum devoted to the colorful and turbulent history of New Mexico, which opened in May. Close by there is the Santa Fe opera, the Tesque Flea Market, and the Poh Center in Poaque.

My interest is Native jewelry that has grown away from local traditions into the field of fine modern art. Many newer artists – like Cody Sanderson and Pat Pruitt – are classically school-trained metalsmiths. Others may also have metalworking degrees but in addition continue a family art and craft tradition. Examples are the Wallaces (Dawn and David) Isaiah and Charles Ortiz, the Gaussoins (the matriarch Cornelia, and sons David and Wayne). These new wave artists are particularly skilled in fabrication, casting and stamping, and often prefer unusual stones and materials, e.g. steel.

For design excellence and versatility, the stars of the event were probably Tammy Garcia, who enjoyed a triple-header of simultaneous shows in jewelry, ceramics and bronze, and Maria Samora, whose elegantly hammered gold and silver bracelets were not only sold at the Market but provided the images became the official poster, T-shirt and other merchandise. For once the promo literature did not lie when it declared, "A new generation of SWAIA artists continues to define what it means to be Native". For information about the Indian Market, contact www.swaia.org. (Photos: work by the Gaussoin family)

Helen W. Drutt English is the recipient of the American Craft Council Aileen Osborn Webb Award of Distinction for Contributions to the Field of Craft. She will be featured in the October/November issue of American Craft. The American Craft Council is a national, not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1943 by Aileen Osborn Webb. The mission of the Council is to promote understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft. Programs include the bimonthly magazine AMERICAN CRAFT, nine annual juried craft shows (three wholesale and six retail) presenting artists and their work, a specialized library and archive and the annual Aileen Osborn Webb Awards honoring excellence in craft.

Charon Kransen Arts/Books has been selected for the 2009 New York Award in the Books category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.